That is why By Muhammad Ali THAT is WHY Reporters have asked me many times why I think so many people around the world respond to me the way that they do. When I consider this ques- tion, a memory comes to mind. It was a hot day in Miami, Florida. Gene Kilroy and I were driving to the airport to pick up Mama Bird and Papa Cash. As we pulled up at the bag- gage claim area a police officer recognized me and shouted out, Hey, Champ, how are you? Then he said that it was OK for Gene to remain parked while I went to find my parents. After a while another officer walked up and told Gene he had to move the car or he would get a ticket. Gene explained to the officer that he was wait- ing for Muhammad Ali to pick up his parents, that this was my car, and we had received permission from another officer on duty to remain where we were. The policeman told Gene that he didnt care who he was waiting for or why, and if he didnt move the car he would get a ticket So, Gene pulled off and circled the airport. By the time he made it back around, my parents and I were stand- ing outside in front of the baggage claim area where I was signing autographs. As Gene pulled up again I looked up and noticed the officer giving him a hard time. The policeman told Gene that hed warned him once, and now he was giving him a ticket. Gene hadnt been parked more than ten seconds. I noticed the officer looking my way. As they argued I walked over to the policeman and told him that it was okay to just give me the ticket. After the officer gave me the ticket and we were driving out of the airport, I said to Gene, That is why. He looked at me and asked what I meant by that statement. Then I told him this story. Two peasants were traveling down a winding road on their way to see the king. When they approached the gates of the kingdom an army of foot soldiers bullied them and ran them off. Then one peasant said to the other, That is why. I 106 ) The next day, the two peasants traveled down the winding road again with hopes to see the king. This lime an army of horse soldiers rode up, threw stones at them and ran them off. Then the peasant said to his friend, That is why. The two peasants would not give up, so they traveled the winding road again. This time the kings carriage pulled up, and when the king saw the two peasants standing there in torn clothes, with cuts and bruises all over them, the king got out of his carriage, walked up to the two peasants, put his arm around them, and gave them each a gold coin. As they walked back down the winding road, one peasant said to the other again, That is why When they were both back home sitting in their little huts, the other peasant asked his I 107 ] friend what he meant when he said, That is why? The first peasant responded, That is why they are foot soldiers, and that is all they will ever be. That is why they are horse soldiers, and that is all they will ever be. And that is why he is king. Then I looked at Gene and said, That is why the officer behaved as he did. Perhaps the biggest thing in that officers life right now is that he gave Muhammad Ali a parking ticket. That is why! I always try to make time for the poor and the powerless, the young and the old. So, that is why.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:25:29 +0000
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